BILL NUMBER: ACR 55	CHAPTERED  07/09/99

	RESOLUTION CHAPTER   59
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE   JULY 9, 1999
	ADOPTED IN ASSEMBLY   JULY 6, 1999
	ADOPTED IN SENATE   JULY 1, 1999
	AMENDED IN SENATE   JUNE 7, 1999
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY   MAY 25, 1999

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Olberg
   (Coauthors:  Assembly Members Aanestad, Ackerman, Alquist, Aroner,
Ashburn, Baldwin, Bates, Battin, Baugh, Bock, Brewer, Briggs,
Calderon, Cardenas, Cardoza, Corbett, Correa, Cox, Cunneen, Davis,
Dickerson, Ducheny, Dutra, Florez, Frusetta, Gallegos, Granlund,
Havice, Hertzberg, Honda, House, Jackson, Kaloogian, Keeley, Knox,
Kuehl, Leach, Lempert, Leonard, Longville, Lowenthal, Machado,
Maddox, Maldonado, Margett, Mazzoni, McClintock, Migden, Nakano,
Oller, Robert Pacheco, Rod Pacheco, Pescetti, Reyes, Romero, Runner,
Scott, Shelley, Steinberg, Strickland, Strom-Martin, Thompson,
Thomson, Torlakson, Villaraigosa, Vincent, Washington, Wayne, Wesson,
Wildman, Wright, and Zettel)

                        MAY 6, 1999

   Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 55--Relative to Fibromyalgia
Awareness Month.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   ACR 55, Olberg.  Fibromyalgia Awareness Month.
   This measure would declare June 1999 to be Fibromyalgia Awareness
Month, and would encourage the observance of this event in
communities throughout the state.




   WHEREAS, Generalized pain and musculoskeletal tenderness, fatigue,
nonrestorative sleep, and morning stiffness characterize
Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS).  People with FMS often report that they
"hurt all over."  Many describe the pain as aching, exhausting, or
nagging.  Pain is most commonly associated with tender points in the
suboccipital area of the neck, shoulder, chest wall, elbows, knees,
hips, and back.  Muscle cramping and spasms are common.  Although
classified as a chronic pain syndrome, FMS may produce "flares" of
acute pain.  In fact, pain may become so severe that it limits range
of motion and functional ability; and
   WHEREAS, Often denied or misunderstood, FMS has been described as
an invisible illness.  Because people with the syndrome do not look
sick, their clinicians, family, and friends may fail to respond
empathetically.  Over time, that insensitivity may produce self-doubt
and diminish self-worth; and
   WHEREAS, The condition often is mislabeled as rheumatism,
fibromyostis, and myositis.  Unlike stiffness associated with
arthritis, pain from FMS does not diminish with activity; and
   WHEREAS, In addition to pain, signs and symptoms of FMS include
dry eyes and mouth, swelling, sleep myoclonous, paresthesia, poor
posture, weight gain, cold sensitivity, exercise intolerance,
difficulty concentrating, visual effects, balance disturbances, and
anxiety.  Febrile illnesses, physical or emotional trauma, cold or
damp weather, and acute or chronic stress may precipitate or
intensify FMS symptoms.  Various other disorders such as irritable
bowel syndrome, irritable bladder, chronic headache (both migraine
and tension), dysmenorrhea, chronic fatigue syndrome, restless legs
syndrome, periodic limb-movement disorder, osteoarthritis, and
myofascial pain syndrome are common in those with FMS; and
   WHEREAS, The causes of FMS are unknown.  No known laboratory test
is diagnostic for FMS, and most people with this condition suffer
more than six years before receiving a correct diagnosis; and
   WHEREAS, The Arthritis Foundation reports that FMS affects
approximately five million Americans, or 2 percent of the population
of the United States.  Of the ailments for which people seek care
from rheumatologists, FMS is second only to rheumatoid arthritis.
The syndrome is about 8 to 10 times more common among women than men.
  Although FMS occurs in all age groups, it is generally diagnosed in
adults in their mid-40s; now, therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
thereof concurring, That the Legislature of the State of California
declares June 1999 to be Fibromyalgia Awareness Month, and encourages
the observance of this event in communities throughout the state;
and be it further
   Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of
this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
